It might seem old-fashioned, but sweetened condensed milk recipes are the secret to creamy, sweet desserts. This pantry staple adds delicious flavor and texture to pies, fudge, bars and more.
30 Sweetened Condensed Milk Recipes to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Pumpkin Delight Magic Bars
My mother never wrote down her delightful recipes, so I created this recipe as a holiday tribute to her. They’re creamy, sweet and a little tart. Eat with a fork so you can scoop up all the delicious topping ingredients that might tumble off. —Lisa Glassman, Boynton Beach, Florida
Ran out of condensed milk? Try out these condensed milk substitutes instead.
1/30
2/30
Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my family is planning a get-together, I can count on three or four people to ask if I'm bringing this dessert. If you don't have a chocolate cake mix, use a white or yellow one and stir in 3 tablespoons baking cocoa. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
3/30
Coconut Pound Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
“This cake is easy to make and is always a big hit,” writes Lisa Varner from Charleston, South Carolina. “I like to serve it with ice cream for a double-dose treat!”
4/30
Chocolate Truffles
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You may be tempted to save these chocolate truffles for a special occasion since these smooth, creamy chocolates are divine. But with just a few ingredients, this truffle recipe is easy to make anytime. —Darlene Wiese-Appleby, Creston, Ohio
5/30
Pot of S’mores
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Mom’s easy Dutch oven version of the popular campout treat is so good and gooey. The hardest part is waiting for this to cool so you can devour it. Yum! —June Dress, Meridian, Idaho
6/30
Kahlua Fudge
Total Time
25 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 pounds
From the Recipe Creator:
This five-ingredient recipe makes serving up treats easy and scrumptious. —Laura Hanks, Harleysville, Pennsylvania
7/30
Frozen Key Lime Delight
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In the middle of summer, nothing hits the spot quite like this sublime Key lime dessert. Cold, creamy and tart, it tastes like sunshine. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
8/30
Irish Creme Drink
Total Time
10 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We top off holiday celebrations with this creamy beverage. With sweetened condensed milk and ice cream, it's like a liquid dessert!—Fred Schneider, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
9/30
Pecan Pie Bars
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These bars are decadently rich—just like pecan pie! They’re sure to disappear from the dessert table at your next gathering, so you might want to save one for later before putting them out. —Carolyn Custer, Clifton Park, New York
10/30
Special Chocolate Treats
Total Time
50 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I serve these lovely cookies to guests. They freeze well. —Walter Max, Wabasha, Minnesota
11/30
Cherry-Coconut Chocolate Torte
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This torte reminds me of two favorite treats: chocolate covered cherries and old-fashioned Cherry Mash candy bars. —Dian Hicks Carlson, Omaha, Nebraska
12/30
Caramel Pretzel Bites
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe wanting to make my own version of a popular candy store pretzel log dipped in caramel, chocolate and nuts. These bites are smothered with homemade caramel. —Michilene Klaver, Grand Rapids, Michigan
13/30
Cake Mix Cookie Bars
Total Time
40 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I take these quick and easy treats to church meetings, potlucks and housewarming parties. I often make a double batch so we can enjoy some at home. —Kimberly Biel, Java, South Dakota
14/30
Cinnamon Apple Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
An attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma
15/30
Dulce de Leche
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
1-1/4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This simple and sweet dulce de leche is made with one ingredient: sweetened condensed milk. The thick caramel sauce can be used in cookies, cakes and toast! —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
16/30
Almond Cherry Fudge
Total Time
20 min
Servings
about 1 pound
From the Recipe Creator:
Cooked in the microwave, this fast fudge is a sweet addition to any holiday gathering. I make it when I need a quick treat for a school party or to take to a neighbor. —Shellie Tucker, Hendersonvlle, Tennessee
17/30
3-Ingredient Ice Cream
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-1/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
Whip together an easy, three-ingredient, creamy dessert in just 15 minutes. Heavy whipping cream, sweetened condensed cream and vanilla extract create a velvety, smooth frozen dessert that’s just sweet enough to satisfy any craving. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
18/30
Lime Tart
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This treat is the perfect balance between tart and sweet, and the almonds in the crust are just wonderful. This is one of my husband’s favorite desserts. Enjoy! —Charis O'Connell, Mohnton, Pennsylvania
19/30
Sweet Potato Cheesecake Brownies
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're looking for something other than pumpkin, these sweet potato bars are a yummy alternative. Make them ahead—they're even better refrigerated overnight. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
20/30
Chocolate Malt Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law loved chocolate malts and cheesecakes, too. Can you guess who passed this recipe on to me? Sometimes, I substitute pretzel crumbs for the graham cracker crumbs. They make a surprisingly good crust! —Anita Moffett, Rewey, Wisconsin
21/30
Tres Leches Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tres leches means "three milks." This cake gets its name because it uses three kinds of milk—evaporated, condensed and cream. This tres leches cake's light and airy texture has made it a classic in Mexican kitchens for generations. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
22/30
S’mores on a Stick
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My kids love to take these for treats everywhere. That's lucky for me since they are so easy to make. Beside the sprinkles, try mini candies for toppings.—Ronda Weirich, Plains, Kansas
23/30
Pineapple & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This bread pudding is easy, convenient, versatile, and delicious. Every time I take it to church or school everyone asks for the recipe because it's the best bread pudding they have ever tasted—I never have any leftovers. This delicious brunch casserole has been requested for family gatherings, holidays, weddings, and birthday parties.—Laura Ellis, Biloxi, Mississippi
24/30
Picnic Bars
Total Time
35 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
You'll score points with a crowd when you stir together these delicious fudge-like treats. They're very moist and rich. The chocolate chips and walnuts make a pretty topping. —Frank Bee, Eugene, Oregon
25/30
Marshmallow-Almond Key Lime Pie
Total Time
55 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Summer is peak season for Key limes—a must for this pie’s distinctive sweet-tart flavor. Unlike other Key lime pies, mine has a smooth marshmallow layer on top. This makes it stand out as a crowd favorite. —Judy Castranova, New Bern, North Carolina
26/30
Toffee Pecan Bars
Total Time
55 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Curl up with a hot cup of coffee and one of these treats. The golden topping and flaky crust give way to the heartwarming taste of old-fashioned pecan pie. —Dianna Croskey, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
27/30
Caramel Brownies
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to cook. My family can't possibly eat all the sweets I whip up, so my co-workers are more than happy to sample them—particularly these rich, chewy caramel brownies that are full of gooey caramel, chocolate chips and crunchy walnuts. —Clara Bakke, Coon Rapids, Minnesota
28/30
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies
Total Time
40 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Although these cookies require a little extra effort, they’re worth it.They are a favorite for every family gathering. —Marie Kinyon, Mason, Michigan
29/30
Lemon Icebox Pie
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You will detect a definite lemonade flavor in this refreshing pie. High and fluffy, this dessert has a creamy smooth consistency. —Cheryl Wilt, Eglon, West Virginia
30/30
S’more Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This luscious dessert is just as wonderfully tasty as the campfire snack that inspired it. It's a great way to savor a summer classic anytime of year. Our 4-year-old daughter likes it so much that she's requested it for her next birthday! —Robin Andrews, Cary, North Carolina